Читать книгу Hiding In The Dark - Sava Mathou - Страница 7

Chapter One

“Become a private eye,” the advertisement read.

Ellie lay on the bed and daydreamed of the adventures she could have. Her children would probably want to have her committed if they knew she wanted this. This time, they would know she had flipped her lid. It had been very difficult when John Sr. died and left her alone. She fought so hard to escape the hole she was sinking in after his death. John Jr. had wanted to have a live-in nurse brought into her home to keep her company. Ellie railed against this idea. She was in the prime of her life, and she certainly didn’t need looking after by some nurse. Jr. had had no malice in his heart when he brought up the idea. He had simply been worried about his mother.

Over the many months after John Sr.’s death, Ellie had lost weight and had become rather gaunt. She had not even begun to recognize her own self in the mirror. It was no wonder her kids were worried. Truth be told. Ellie was a bit worried herself. Life had thrown her a curve ball, and she had no idea what to do next.

Ellie loved murder mysteries. Her personal library was filled with all the latest volumes from the newest authors. Books by the Volume had always been her home away from home. Sometimes, she giggled to herself because she had probably put Sue and Chuck’s kids through college. They were the owners of the bookstore and always kept their eyes out for the newest and latest books to thrill Ellie’s imagination.

In fact, Sue and Chuck had become instrumental in Ellie finding something new in her life to fill her time. They worried about her spending so much time alone up in that big ole house. Their relationship had started out years ago as customer and business owner and had developed into a lifelong friendship. Their love of literature solidified their relationship. It was with their encouragement that Ellie began to rejoin the land of the living. Sue continued to bring over a new book on each visit. Soon Ellie’s night table had begun to fill with unread books.

Ellie no longer wanted to read the type of books she loved. All these people in those pages were having such grand adventures, and here she is, lying in bed. Growing old and withered before her own eyes, she wanted her own adventures. She got up from the bed and pushed the growing pile of books to the floor. It was not out of anger but more out of a new self that she would begin to create. Deciding that she was not going to let life defeat her now, Ms. Ellie Lynn Moore would be someone in her own right. Even if she failed doing it, at least she would know that she had tried.

Besides, what fifty-five-year-old woman would become a private detective without having a few screws loose? she thought. The thought brought her mind, swimming back to her husband. John Sr. had told her more than once, “Ellie, I think you were a gumshoe in your past life!”

Ellie would turn red and reply, “Oh, John. Don’t be ridiculous. Me? A gumshoe? Though the thought of it does sound thrilling.”

Standing in her room, she began to really look at herself in the mirror. For the first time in a while, Ellie caught just the twinkle in her own eyes. She began to see the old Ellie peek out from beneath the surface. Looking herself over, there were a few sags and wrinkles, showing in her face. But for a fifty-five-year-old woman, Ellie thought she had held up well over the years. Realizing that she was a grandmother, she smiled. What else was she supposed to look like?

It was decided right then and there, in front of the mirror, that she would become a private eye.

Now, how exactly did one do that?

Where is that darn advertisement? Ellie’s mind raced.

Pushing aside the books that were now piled on the floor, she grasped a hold of the paper with a renewed vigor for life. Whipping through the pages of the circular paper, her eyes scanned the pages for the advertisement. Finding it near the back of the paper, a huge sigh of relief escaped her. It surprised her. She had sounded like she had just found her lost diamond, and it was a way she had.

Reading over the advertisement, self-doubt began to rise with in her. Silently, she sat on the edge of the bed. The paper clasped within her fists. She hit the paper against her legs with a slap. Quickly, she dialed the 800 number. Her fingers trembled as she punched in the numbers. Inside, she felt like a mischievous little girl, stealing the first warm cookie from the batch just out of the oven.

In her ear, she could hear the ring in the ear piece. Holding the phone to her head, sweat began to bead on her forehead. Her cheeks filled with blood and took on a slight blush. Ellie’s heart began to pound with in her chest.

“Hello. Thank you for calling Price Private Detective School. We are either away from the phone, or out in the field. Please leave a detailed message after the beep.”

Beep. A shrill whistle of a beep sounded.

“Hello,” she instinctively said.

“Yes. Hello. This is Ellie Moore, calling regarding the advertisement you have listed in our local circular paper. Please give me a call back at (406) 555-1291. I am calling about becoming a private detective and the school you run.”

Click.

Quickly, she had hung up the phone, then grabbed the receiver and base and hugged it to her chest. Her heart was racing. Sweat was now covering her forehead and her under arms. She felt like she was already on a secret mission for someone. This time, it was for herself, and she let out a long sigh. The tenseness from her shoulders began to slip away.

Suddenly, the phone rang in her hands, frightening her. She almost whipped the darn thing over the bed. Ellie started to laugh as she answered. Get a grip, woman, she thought.

“Hello!” she answered with a huge grin on her face.

“Ellie, is that you?”

“Yes. It’s me. Is that you, Sue?”

“Why do you sound so out of breath? Is everything all right? Do I need to come over?”

Always ready to send out the troops, she thought of Sue.

“No, no. I am fine. The phone just startled me for a moment. Guess my mind was off on another planet there for a moment.” Ellie had to stifle a laugh before she got a bad case of the church giggles. You know the church giggles? This is where you laugh and just can’t stop even though you know you should.

Exasperated, Sue said, “Now, you sound like you’re on the verge of laughter? What is going on over there? What is going on with you, woman? Did I catch you with your hand in the cookie jar?”

Smiling, Ellie replied, “You might as well have. I was just taken by surprise. That is all. What is up?”

“I have got some of those books you ordered awhile back. Thought you might like to come by and pick them up? Besides, Chuck is out on some errands, and it’s a slow day. Thought you might like a cup of coffee?”

“I don’t think I will be needing those books any longer, but I do have some new books I would like to look into. How does a half hour sound?”

“Sounds good, but what are you up to? I know that tone.” Sue listened to her friend in the phone with a new eagerness.

Nervously, she said, “Let’s talk over coffee. I want to bounce a couple of ideas off you and see what you think of something I may be doing in the very near future.”

“Okay. Half hour?”

“Half hour. See you then!”

Hanging up the phone, Ellie headed to the restroom to freshen up. Again, she was surprised by the face in the mirror. Smiling, she looked at herself and tried to think of what was different. She had just made a phone call and talked to Susan. Yet there it was, plain as day, written all over her face.

That’s it!

A sparkle!

Ellie saw the sparkle of life back in her eyes. It surprised her because she honestly hadn’t realized it was gone. No wonder her friends were so worried about her. She would have to call up the kids and reassure them that she was coming around and get them to come down for a visit. Maybe then, John Jr. would see she didn’t need a live-in nurse. Still, she must have caused them some worry. If a bathroom mirror could be so truthful to her own self, then what must have her poor kids and friends thought? A phrase popped into her head, making her blush, Time to grab the bull by the horns! With that phrase stuck in her mind, Ellie squared her shoulders and smiled at herself in the mirror.

Driving over to Sue and Chuck’s store, Books by the Volume, Ellie found herself, having to slow the car down. The mph dial was well over the legal limit. She was happy again. Summer had come to Helena, and she hadn’t quite realized it. Now with the windows down, she felt the wind on her hair and skin and enjoyed driving a little faster than normal. She made good time, zipping up North Montana Avenue, turning right onto Cedar Street and heading toward Last Chance Gulch. Soon, Books by the Volume came into view on Last Chance Gulch.

As she parallel parked on Last Chance Gulch, it still amazed Ellie that people found gold, washing into the street after a good rain. Most tourists would never look to their feet during a rain but head for the nearest shelter, missing the chance to find a real piece of Montana gold and Montana history located just at their feet. Montana riches are hidden beneath their toes.

Across the street from her stood Books by the Volume. She saw Sue, standing on the old library ladder in the window, putting more new volumes on the upper shelves. Opening her car door, Ellie suddenly felt butterflies in her stomach. She was about to tell her best friend that this suburban housewife wanted to become a private detective. Ellie began to imagine the spirited calls to the nuthouse in Warm Springs. Whispered conversations in the background that Ellie Lynn Moore had finally lost her mind and gone around the bend. Ellie knew she was being a bit foolish in her new adventure, but it was something she was determined to do.

Taking a deep breath, she exhaled slowly and pushed herself up from the front seat of the car. It was now or never. She raced between cars and crossed the street. After all, she had only made a call. It wasn’t like she had signed up for the course yet. She would tell Sue and gauge her reaction. Ellie hoped her friend wouldn’t break down in front of her in hysterical laughter.

Grasping the handle on the front door of the bookstore. She felt as though her legs were going to give way and buckle at any moment. Now, she wished she hadn’t told Sue to put bells on the front door to let her know when people arrived in the store. The bells signaled her entrance. Now Ellie wished she was invisible. Darn bells!

Sue called from the ladder, “Hey, hun. Be right with you in a minute. Help yourself to some coffee. Just have a couple more books to be put up.”

“Okay!” was all she could muster.

Ellie made her way quickly to the back of the store and the fresh coffee. Now she wanted to avoid the coming conversation for as long as possible. Pouring herself a cup of coffee, she noticed her hands trembling.

Suddenly, a hand was on her shoulder. Jumping, she threw the coffee and dropped the coffee pot. It was only Sue. Ellie turned around to see Sue, staring at her with her mouth agape. Trembling, Ellie grabbed a hand full of napkins and began cleaning up the spilled coffee and broken glass without a word.

On her hands and knees, trembling and trying not to make eye contact with her best friend, Ellie’s emotions suddenly drew to the surface.

Suddenly, Ellie began to cry.

Climbing to her feet, Ellie moved to the leather reading sofa and dropped her body into the couch. Head in her hands, Ellie began to cry for her husband, herself, her children, and their family. It suddenly dawned on her that she hadn’t really cried since John Sr. died, and now, it was all coming out in a big blubbery mess. This wasn’t supposed to happen now. She had come to the bookstore to tell her friend that she had finally pulled herself up by the boot straps and gotten her life back in order. This was not helping her look like she had gotten her life together again.

Sue let her friend cry. It was about time that she let loose all that hurt and anger over losing her husband. Instinctively, Sue knew why Ellie was crying. Her and her husband, Chuck, had been worried for a long time over their dear friend. Sometimes Ellie tried to put up a brave front for everyone else and wouldn’t give herself the time to heal and recover. It was good now to see her friend, getting out the feelings that she had been holding inside for far too long. Frankly, it relieved Sue to know that her friend was finally touching on the feelings that she had bottled deep inside.

Quietly, Sue moved to the front door of the store and locked it. Grabbing the closed sign and putting it in the door, she drew the curtains to give her and Ellie privacy to be alone and talk. Something had been brewing in Ellie for the last week or two, and Sue knew it would come out sooner or later. It would just take some time for Ellie to work through, and when she was ready, she would come to Sue with her thoughts and want to talk. Looking over at her friend. Sue sat amazed that they had developed such a lasting rich friendship. She had grown to love Ellie like family and no longer thought of her as a customer. Ellie was more like a beloved member of Sue and Chuck’s family.

When Ellie had first come into their new store many years ago, Sue saw a woman who was obviously wealthy and carried herself with such dignity and grace. The thought brought a tear to Susan’s eye. Sue had been nervous to approach the woman in her store. Sue was a simple Montana farm girl and was immediately intimidated by the woman and her appearance. The thought now brought a smile to her face. Sue couldn’t have been more wrong about Ellie. As soon as Ellie asked her about a book she was wanting, Sue had felt a toughness and a warmth from this woman. They had been friends ever since.

Sue moved back over to the sofa and put her arm around Ellie. With her other hand, she reached up and pulled Ellie’s head softly to her shoulder. Remaining in their tender embrace for many minutes, Ellie cried out her loss in the protective touch of her friend. It was a moment that could only be shared by two old friends. Family.

Whispering, Sue rocked Ellie and said, “Shh now. It’s all right. Let it all out. This has been coming for a while now. Shh. There now. It’s all right. You just take your time and cry it all out.”

*****

Driving back home, Ellie thought she had temporarily lost her mind. She had begun to blurt out everything to Sue. Sue never said a word but just sat back on the couch and listened. She didn’t know if Sue was too shocked to say anything, or was simply being a friend and taking it all in. When her outburst of emotion was over, Sue had sat back, thinking with her chin in her hand. Ellie knew this was never a good sign. Sue usually only did this when she was powering up to let someone have it with both barrels. Instead, she heard this.

“Well, woman, it’s about time you get off your duff and stop feeling sorry for yourself. I have been wanting to kick you in the butt for holding everything in all this time. But I should know by now that this is typical Ellie. Just waiting to spill over before picking up the pieces to move on. Now for this private detective business. If this is what you want to do, then I am all for it. Really. It doesn’t surprise me none. You have had your head in those dime store novels for years. God knows that if anyone is going to do this, then it’s you. You’re gonna have one heck of time explaining this one to the kids. Although that’s a conversation that I would love to hear, if only to be a fly on the wall.”

Ellie could see the glazed look in Sue’s eyes as she dazed off with a rueful smile at thought of their conversation.

Heck, Ellie had to laugh too. If her kids thought she was incompetent before, then they would now have some fuel for the fire.

Opening the door to her home, Ellie began to feel a course of loneliness seep in. Before it could grab hold, the phone’s ring had snapped her out of it. She dashed across the foyer to answer the hall phone.

Out of breath, she answered, “Moore residence.”

“May I speak with Mrs. Moore, please?”

“This is Mrs. Moore. How may I help you?”

“This is Dylan from the Price Private Detective School, returning your call.”

*****

Ellie had stayed in Missoula for the six weeks of schooling it took to get her private detective license with the State of Montana. She had stayed with her daughter Janet and her husband while going to school.

It had been one heck of a conversation, telling the kids about the new adventure in her life. Janet and Dave had sat stone faced and closed mouth as she told them about her schooling that would begin in the morning. John Jr. had silently waited for his mother to finish her speech before diving into a million questions over speaker phone. It was the grand inquisition being performed on her by loved ones. She knew this was a battle she would have to face. It was a battle she must win to show her loved ones that she had regained her life and was moving on.

She had been impressed by the kids. After what seemed like hours and hundreds of questions later, they knew their mother had made up her mind. They didn’t have to like it, but they were going to respect her wishes.

For now.

However, one hint of danger, and she knew they would come storming in hell or high water because nothing was going to happen to their mother. She briefly wept at their courage and sincerity and love for her. Then she laid down some of her own ground rules.

“First and foremost, I am your mother, and I love you all for giving me the best children a mother could ask for in life. Second, I am a grown and capable woman, and I have thought about this for many years. This is not a spur-of-the-moment decision, nor is it one that I have given little worry too. I know the danger and boredom this type of work entails. However, I need to move on with my life.

“It’s been very difficult for me since your father passed away. It’s been hard on all of us. I need a new direction, one that makes me want to get out of bed in the morning. All my life, I supported my husband’s career. Then as a mother, I joyfully took on the role of a parent. I wouldn’t trade those years for anything. They made me very happy and fulfilled. Now at this time in my life, I want to do something daring and outrageous and completely for me. I know you love me and want what is best for me. I just want your love and support while I do something for me that will make me happy and want to live again.”

There was a round of murmurs.

Finally, John Jr. spoke up. “I must admit that the thought of you out in the middle of the night, tracking down God knows who scares me to death. I know once you have made up your mind that there is no changing it. So with a bit of unease, I support you. Scared for you, but I support you.”

“We do too. My mom a private eye?” Janet said in more of statement of wonder.